Feasting Fort Collins

The Rio Grande – 2nd Review

Kristin Mastre — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 19:45:39 +0000

There are certain restaurants in Fort Collins that hold a tremendous amount of nostalgia for me and my group of best friends. No matter what kind of service we’ve experienced, or how the food quality was, no matter what – we always return. The Rio is at the top of this list for me.

When The Husband and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary with friends in Old Town, The Rio was the first place we met up for margaritas. When my group of best friends celebrated birthdays or going away parties, The Rio was our go-to. When I took readers and friends out for a summer patio dining tour in Old Town, The Rio was the very first place we stared.

Even though The Rio is a nostalgic place for me, a wonderful place to celebrate a special event, they’ve even partnered up with Feasting Fort Collins for special promotional events (like the We Love Fort Collins Food reader contest), and I know a few members of the staff and like them – I’ve never been won over by the food. In their first review I published, I gave them a two-star rating. Over the years, many people have had similar perceptions about the restaurant – you go for the margaritas and the celebratory atmosphere – the food is just alright.

Recently The Rio has been working very hard on changing that perception. Jason Barrett took over as the CEO last summer. He sat all of the kitchen managers and general managers down in a food conference where they looked over five years of published reviews on sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon for all six restaurants. He asked if they were happy with their reputation of being a great place to drink, but a mediocre place to eat. Of course they weren’t, thus a massive campaign was launched to work on improving the quality of their food. They conducted training workshops for all of the kitchen personnel, hired better employees, updated their kitchen equipment, refined their recipes, and focused intensely on scratch cooking using locally sourced ingredients (which they’ve been doing since 1986, anyway).

They’ve admitted to failing in their execution and are working diligently to change that. Last May, they rolled out a new menu with new items (including some gluten-free options), and have focused on making some great tacos. They improved their products and established new relationships with food vendors. They’ve set the bar high for themselves when it comes to standards. They reached out to the media and other Colorado food bloggers to have them come by the kitchens for behind-the-scenes looks and to write favorable posts (you can read them all on The Rio’s main Facebook page).

Then, there’s me. The food blogger and restaurant critic with unwavering ethical standards to the point that seems almost crazy. But, those ethics are what keep me honest with the Feasting Fort Collins community and it’s why I’m a trusted source. It’s also why I have to tell it like it is and share the real experience. I visited The Rio twice – just like every single review here on the site. I ordered a variety of menu items and went with large groups of people. This review was conducted in the same manner as every other review I’ve published – no special treatment.

On my first visit, we went to celebrate one of my best friend’s birthdays in October. She loves Mexican food and The Rio is one of her favorite Fort Collins restaurants. There was a large group of us, probably close to 10 people. The Rio doesn’t take reservations. Being familiar with their seating rules, we knew that and expected to wait. We waited about 45 minutes for a large table and had a great time drinking margaritas and eating chips at the bar while they cleared a spot for us.

I ordered the open faced grilled shrimp tacos – flour tortillas, Rio slaw, avocado crema, with sides of rice and steamed vegetables.

I really enjoyed these tacos. The shrimp were plump and juicy compared to dried out, over-cooked dishes I’ve had in the past. The avocado crema was an impressive addition and I loved it. It added a soft and gentle texture with an ever so slight avocado flavor. With this dish, I was sold on their improvements! While not the best Mexican in Fort Collins, it was certainly a step above their food I’ve reviewed in the past. It was respectable.

We came back again on the night of February 11th. This same best friend that celebrated her birthday there was now moving away to a different city in Colorado. Our close group of six friends knew that our last hurrah together would be celebrated no where else other than The Rio. Again, we knew they didn’t accept reservations or seated half parties (so we couldn’t send someone early to snag a table), and we knew we would be patiently waiting at the bar drinking margaritas in the meantime.

Two hours later, three margaritas, and probably twelve bowls of chips and salsa between all of us – we were seated and our entrees arrived.

That night at The Rio was exceptionally busy. The bar was packed two rows deep and people couldn’t even squeeze in to get their drinks. We watched people give up and leave for dinner elsewhere. This was not an option for us – we were going to wait it out no matter what. The service was slow because it was so overwhelming for the staff. Our server responsible for water refills and chips was stellar though, refilling our chip and salsa after we were only halfway through a bowl. We always had hot and fresh chips in front of us at all times.

We ordered a bowl of Chile Con Queso – cheese blend and pico de gallo. The cheese was unreasonably runny and it didn’t work well for dipping at all. It was more like a thin coating on the chip.

I ordered the same crab and shrimp enchilada as I did in their first review. It had Alaskan snow crab, diced shrimp, jack cheese, and classic enchilada sauce. It came with sides of black beans and rice.

This was much better than the enchilada that I initially reviewed. Much like my shrimp taco from the previous visit – this was not overcooked and dried out. Again, not the best in Fort Collins, but decent. I would order it again (providing I didn’t have to wait two hours to be seated to get it).

My friends ordered other dishes like grilled chicken burritos and chicken tacos. Everyone seemed relatively happy with orders – some though it was mediocre, others thought it was decent enough. One friend ordered the grilled steak nachos – the only thing she ever eats at The Rio. It’s made with grilled steak, black beans, jalapenos, lettuce, cheddar, and guacamole. After she took her first bite, the look of disappointment on her face was clear. This was something we were going to have to send back to the kitchen.

The nachos were soggy and dissolving on the plate after being left sitting for too long before serving it to her. The steak chunks were very undercooked, more rare than most people would be comfortable with. We let our server know and she graciously took the nachos back. My friend was so full on chips and margaritas that she didn’t want to bother replacing it with another entree.

We left that night sorely disappointed with our experience.

Prior to writing this review I emailed Jason, their new CEO, to let him know about our night there and that I would have to share it with my readers. I felt like a complete schmuck having to be the party pooper during their improvement campaign, but I would have felt like an even bigger loser if I didn’t keep it real. His response back to me was gracious, apologetic, and understanding that there is always room for improvement.

“We very much value your opinions and continue to be fans of Feasting Fort Collins. Hope you give us another shot soon,” he closed.

I sighed with relief and was left with an incredible amount of respect for him and his grace under unflattering circumstances. The Rio will always be one of my staple restaurants for celebrations in Old Town with my best friends because of that deep-rooted nostalgia. Even though I’m not completely impressed with their food (although on good nights it is getting better) or some of our experiences, I am, however, impressed with their people. I’m not willing to completely write them off despite not giving them a glowing review or a four or five star rating.

The Rio Grande
143 West Mountain Avenue
970-224-5428
www.riograndemexican.com

Kid-Friendly? Not at dinner on the weekends, more so at lunch and weekday dinners

Parking: Old Town Streets or the garage on Mason

Healthy Options? Yes, there are new gluten-free items!

Budget-Friendly? There are many dishes that are less than $10

Recent Health Inspection? Marginal key inspection, excellent follow-up

We Love Fort Collins Food – Reader Contest!

Kristin Mastre — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:24:11 +0000

There is no Eat Of The Week again today, because we’re still in the middle of the We Love Fort Collins Food reader contest! It’s the halfway point, so there’s still plenty of time to get your picture submissions in before the contest ends on Sunday, February 26th. Pictures must be submitted before 10:00am on that day.

We’ve had some really fun reader submissions over this past week. A lot of people have been snapping pictures at Pateros Creek Brewing Co, Jax Fish House, The Mayor Of Old Town, Mary’s Mountain Cookies, Gravity 1020, The Rio, Butter Cream Cupcakery, The Canyon Chop House, and Oak Street Cafe.

If you’re finding out about this contest for the first time, here’s the scoop!

Starting on Sunday, February 12th through Sunday, February 26th, if you see one of these signs displayed at one of the participating restaurants that says “We’re Reviewed On Feasting Fort Collins”, take a picture of yourself by the sign and send it to me! You can post it on the Feasting Fort Collins Facebook Page, send it to me via Twitter, put it up on the Feasting Fort Collins G+ page, or if you’re completely anti-social media – email it to me at Kristin@FeastingFortCollins.com.

By sending me a picture of yourself next to the sign at one of these fabulous restaurants, you are entered into a random drawing to win a $100 gift card to any Fort Collins restaurant of your choice!

This is all made possible because of the advertising support from Feasting Fort Collins sponsors. Thank you!!

Here is a list of restaurants, coffee houses, teahouses, bars, ice cream shops, and breweries that have confirmed they are participating. Stop by for some food and drink and take a picture of yourself next to the Feasting Fort Collins signs! And, if you are there only because they are displaying the sign – make sure you see it first before ordering, and if you don’t see it – grab the manager and find out where it is. Also, if there’s a restaurant on this list that doesn’t have a sign displayed, please let me know so I can remove them from the list.

There is no spending limit – you can purchase a $2.00 tea, or a $5 beer, or a $50 streak dinner – no matter what, you still have a chance to win $100!

Here are the rules:

You as a whole living, eating person have to be included in the picture by the sign. Pictures of the sign only (or of body parts like thumbs) are disqualified.
You must purchase food or drink from the participating restaurant to qualify. No “flash and dash.”
You can enter as many times as you’d like, but multiple picture submissions need to be from different restaurants (meaning, one picture from one restaurant counts as a single entry).
By submitting a picture, you give me permission to post it on the blog, retweet on Twitter, and tag and share on Facebook and Google Plus.
By submitting a picture, you give me permission to contact you if you should happen to win. Your contact info will always be kept private.

That’s it! Keep your eyes peeled for the “We’re Reviewed On Feasting Fort Collins” signs at restaurants around Fort Collins and keep your cameras handy for a snapshot to win $100 to dine out!

Fish Restaurant

Kristin Mastre — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 17:08:33 +0000

When all is said and done in life, the only thing that really matters are the relationships we’ve built over time. We can spend hours of focus on building a career or reaching milestone achievements – but none of it means anything unless we have people to share it with. Relationships put the soul into our day-to-day living.

Naturally, restaurant dining is a social event. We tend to have meetings over lunch, spend quality one-on-one time with a loved one, or catch up with a friend over coffee. Even if you are dining alone, there are social pleasantries with the restaurant staff. It’s partly why dining out is a favorite past time of ours here in Fort Collins. We eat to live and live to eat – and we always love sharing that experience with one another.

This is why Feasting Fort Collins fills my heart with purpose. It’s not about how many sponsors I can get, how many restaurants I can review, or the small town celebrity status that has seemed to develop – it’s about the people I meet in our community. It’s about the relationships I’ve developed with readers and restaurateurs. It’s about the meals I’ve shared with many of my dear friends. It’s about flavorful Fort Collins.

In my years of writing reviews on this blog, there are very few moments where I’ve felt that deep level of relationship building from a dining experience that comes from the restaurant itself. I can name a few places off the top of my head where service was outstanding, where everyone smiled and it was a picturesque dining experience. But here at Fish Restaurant, I felt – and witnessed – an extraordinarily authentic community connection unlike any other restaurant in the city.

Fish Restaurant opened in October of 2001 on Oak Street right next to Dempsey’s in Old Town. Co-Owner Mike Reeves was born and raised right here in Fort Collins. He moved to Boulder for school and gained some kitchen experience, then moved up to Canada and opened a restaurant in Salmon Arm BC. He returned a few years later and opened Fish. Among one of the first people he hired was Kat, and six years later they were married. Now they run the restaurant as a family with two little kids, and a staff that makes the restaurant feel like home.

Fish Restaurant isn’t only a restaurant, but also a seafood market. There is a display to purchase fish, and a lobster tank by the front door. You can create your own dish if you’re not keen on any of the menu items (but I would find that hard to believe), and a few friends of mine often have their server surprise them with on the fly creations.

On Tuesday I was joined by Jason Speciner, a Certified Financial Planner who will be joining the list of sponsors next month. We met (on Valentine’s Day, no less) to talk about restaurant retirement plans and other business-related things that typically make my eyes glaze over, but Jason was super friendly, excited to team up with me, and a great person to have lunch with.

Soon our server, Dirk, came to our table for our orders after placing a plate of bread with a side of red pepper and chive butter in the center. Now, here’s where I have to go on a tangent a bit. First of all, if every server in Fort Collins had a charming personality even remotely similar to Dirk’s, nobody would ever want to eat at home. Did he do anything out of the ordinary? No. Did he talk our ears off during our meal? No. But I’m telling you, character and personality go a long way for a server, and just by being a fun loving nice guy, we were immediately in love with our experience before the food even came to the table. When you like what you do, everyone likes that you’re doing it.

We were discussing specials and menu items, and I had my eye on their steamer special for the day. I asked him what he thought about it. He briskly turned around to the the table next to us.

“Hey Gina! How do you like that steamer special you ordered?” he asked with a bright smile.

“Oh! It’s great!” she replied after swallowing a bite of clams and sauce. “You’ll really love this!”

I felt like I was crashing someone’s family dinner party, but one where I was completely welcomed. Tables chatted with each other about menu items despite being perfect strangers. That was enough to sell me on the special, so I ordered it. It was a bowl of clams in a white wine, lemon, garlic, and diablo sauce, with a side of bread for dipping.

When Dirk served this to our table, he passionately exclaimed, “Here’s some bread for the dipping, and a bowl for the carnage. Oh, the carnage!”

It made me laugh and I was already having a great time.

It was a generous serving of gentle clams with a deliciously light and garlicy sauce. Knowing that I would be enjoying a gourmet home-cooked meal courtesy of The Husband later that night, I sadly neglected the dipping bread, and secretly wished I could have just picked up the bowl to slurp that tasty sauce.

Jason ordered the Calamari Po’ Boy – crispy calamari with chipotle aioli, lettuce, tomato, onion, cole slaw and fries. Being that this was our first time meeting, and a business meeting at that, I didn’t snag a bite from his plate to taste (although I’m sure he would have allowed it).

After the carnage bowl was filled with clam shells and we were happily stuffed, Dirk asked if we wanted dessert. I was tempted by their Key Lime Pie after his claims of deliciousness and authentic natural color, rather than it being neon green. After surrounding tables agreed that it was incredible, and we had lively table discussions with strangers about it, we couldn’t resist.

The desserts come from Puffin Pastry, which you can find at other restaurants around Fort Collins – like the Rainbow and the Bean Cycle Coffee Shop. It was absolutely delicious with a lovely balance between tangy tartness and sticky sweetness. And, it came out a gentle shade of yellow-green.

I came back again for dinner with another friend and coworker from Cohere, Jeremy. Coincidentally enough, Dirk was our server again and we were delighted. We were also lucky enough to show up during Happy Hour, so we took advantage of the half-priced bottle of Cellar No. 8 Cabernet Sauvignon, and $1 oysters. We each had two Hama Hama, Goosepoint, Hurricane Harbor, and Apalacha Cola oysters.

For being in a land-locked state, these were shockingly fresh. “So fresh, someone might get slapped” is their tagline, and yes, I believe that! I had a personal preference for the Goosepoint oysters, because after years of living in Oregon, I can clearly and distinctly taste the flavors of that state – no exaggeration. I can taste it in Oregon wines, too. That Pacific Northwest corner of the country holds a special place in my heart, so the flavors that come from there always make me happy.

For our entrees, Jeremy ordered the Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna – Ahi dressed in sesame seeds and seared, then coated with orange ginger reduction sauce. It was a very large serving of Ahi, cooked perfectly with a deep dark ruby center. The sesame seed coating was thick and added an incredible nutty flavor. It was downright awesome.

I ordered the Moroccan Fish Tagine – North African Fish Stew with monk fish, house cured lemons, aromatic spices, tomatoes and black olives over couscous.

It was enormous and fabulous. The spices were mind blowing and the house cured lemon - seriously? This is a must-have dish! You better get here to try it before it swims off the menu, because it’s not a standard dish. I almost never bring leftovers home from a review, but you better believe I wasn’t leaving any remnants of this meal behind. And it tasted just as incredible the next day, with an increased tart lemon tang.

Once again, we were easily persuaded into ordering dessert. This time we chose the frozen chocolate mousse pie, and it was the perfect end to a delightful evening out – velvety, smooth, refreshingly cold, and delicious. The conversation was amazing, the service was fun and sassy, and of course, the food was top notch.

I left Fish Restaurant wishing that I wasn’t a restaurant citric. One of the downsides is that I’m rarely able to return to a favorite place on a remotely regular basis. I was saddened by the fact that I would never be able to become a regular here, when I desperately wanted to be. If I didn’t have to eat my way through the city, Fish would be one of my hangouts. By the comfortable welcoming we received, the friendly conversations with neighboring table strangers, the sassy service, and always most importantly – the incredibly flavorful food – Fish knows what Fort Collins is looking for. They know both food and people. They know genuine community connection. They know how to build relationships over savory sauces. They put the soul into day-to-day restaurant dining.

Fish Restaurant
150 West Oak Street
(970) 224-1188
www.fishmkt.com

Kid-Friendly? Yes, they have a kids’ menu.

Parking: Limited street parking on Oak Street, closest garage is on Mason.

Healthy Options? They have a gluten-free menu upon request, and are very accommodating towards allergy issues.

Budget-Friendly? Happy Hour prices are fantastic, otherwise entree prices average $25 a plate.

Recent Health Inspection: Unknown – not listed on Larimer County Site

D’Vine Bistro

Kristin Mastre — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:57:24 +0000

I’m one of those incredibly lucky people who found fairytale love – the kind of rare love that people search their entire lives for. I was fortunate enough to find it at the ripe old age of 17. As a senior in high school, I was engaged to my best friend when every adult I knew told me that I was making the biggest mistake of my life. 13 years later, we’re still married and going strong.

This is why when February 14th rolls around, I’m excited to stroll the Hallmark card isles in search of the perfect sentiment that captures the true essence of my love, and plan a dreamy night that celebrates our relationship. Most people hate Valentine’s Day because of the cheesy marketing gimmicks, but it’s a holiday I embrace because of its meaning. As a result, I’m always on the lookout for romantic dining spots in Fort Collins – perfect for making your lover swoon. I’ve found a place that will not only make your date night memorable, but it ramps up the charm and flavor in the daylight, making it a quaint little afternoon delight. I found all of this and more at D’vine Bistro.

D’Vine Bistro is hidden in a very small space within the Villagio center on East Harmony. When I say “very small,” I’m saying less than 10 tables kind of small. With warm deep gold and burgundy walls, dark wood wine racks, and a large bright window that overlooks their patio, it’s sophisticated and cute all at the same time.

In late July of 2011, Howard and April Bringham reinvented their Super Suppers prepared meals business by changing their concept to include a wine and tapas bar. While they still offer Super Suppers meals, as is evident by the large grocery store-like refrigerators by the front door and host station, they expanded their concept to fill a dining niche within Fort Collins.

My first experience at D’Vine Bistro was with my friend Shawna for dinner wine flights and tapas. We were lucky enough to arrive during happy hour and enjoyed our menu selections at a sweeter price – order three tapas and receive a fourth on the house. We ordered Medjool Dates, Salumi Plate, Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip, Baby Spinach and Mushroom Bruchetta, and cups of Lobster Bisque. I also ordered their Full Red wine flight.

In the dimly lit room, we chatted and sipped on our delicious flights. Every single wine choice was fantastic. There was a dark Zinfandel in this flight that I would have steered clear from, thinking that it would be too light and sweet for my tastes, but it was shockingly impressive. I always love discovering new flavors that change my perception.

The tapas were just as delicious. The cup of Lobster Bisque was smooth, rich and creamy – a wonderfully warm and flavorful start to the evening. It did lack lobster chunks, so the texture was all cream, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

The Medjool Dates were pure heaven. Stuffed with herbed chevre and buttermilk blue cheese, and delicately wrapped in prosciutto. They were unexpectedly large for stuffed dates, but had the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and savory.

The salumi plate filled with capicola, salami, prosciutto, and blue cheese were the type of tapas Fort Collins would fall head over heels in love with. I certainly did.

The Baby Spinach and Mushroom Bruchetta with creme fraiche and black truffle emulsion was another tapas dish that delighted my senses. The mushrooms on top are what sealed the deal for me – an ingredient that usually blends into a dish now stood out with a pronounced earthiness.

We finished the night with desserts – their Red Velvet cake and tiramisu. This is where I became completely enamored with D’Vine Bistro. Desserts are tricky for restaurants to pull off – it takes a certain kind of pastry skill and I’m telling you – they have it. There are few places that I can recommend for dessert, but D’Vine has my heart here. The decadent tiramisu, made fresh in house, could quite possibly be the best I’ve ever had in Fort Collins. Absolutely incredible!

I returned again for lunch with Jessica, ordering a french press coffee, a cup of their creamy brie and mushroom bisque with Madera wine, and Chipotle Lime Shrimp with Pearl Couscous salad.

The press pot of coffee was adorable, even though it didn’t quite fit over the top of their coffee mug. Despite a slightly awkward press too make sure I didn’t spill, the coffee was nice and smooth. Perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.

The soup was a bowl of savory love – comforting umami flavors, chunks of tender mushroom – it was gone in mere minutes. It was so good, I was disappointed that I didn’t order a full bowl, instead choosing a cup.

The Chipotle Lime shrimp dish with wild caught jumbo Black Tiger shrimp marinated in chipotle lime cilantro sauce, was served chilled over a bed of warmed Pearl Couscous, mixed vegetables and citrus wedges.

I loved this! What a wonderful way to enjoy a delicious lunch! It was so fresh and had an intense chipotle burn that blushed my cheeks. The shrimp were plump and plentiful and the Pearl Couscous added a soft and slightly chewy texture.

Jessica ordered their open-faced meatloaf sandwich served with garlic mashed potatoes and an IPA gravy. She wasn’t as impressed with her lunch as I was with mine. I took a bite and thought it tasted as I expected – mild and comforting. It didn’t pop with flavor like most of the other dishes, but this was certainly food that fed your soul.

We decided to splurge on dessert again, unable to pass up the sugary magic from the kitchen. This time we ordered the creme brulee, and again, my mouth was in love. It had a perfect caramelized sugar crust with a lovely soft custard underneath. Their desserts are like cupid’s arrow for me. I’m smitten!

On this Valentine’s Day, I revel in the fairytale love I found when I met my husband, and I’m thrilled to have found a special romantic spot to celebrate our relationship. When you bring your lover to dine at this delightful little bistro that teases your taste buds with flavorful tapas and salads, and wows you with mind-blowing desserts, you’re going to be just as lucky with delicious flavor as you will be with your special someone.

D’Vine Bistro
2580 East Harmony, suite 102
(970) 472-9999
www.dvinebistrocolorado.com

Kid-Friendly? No kids’ menu, and I feel that this place is best enjoyed with adult company.

Parking: Very busy shared parking lot. Watch for traffic!

Healthy Options? They do have a few Gluten-free options!

Budget-Friendly? Lunch averages $8, most large tapas plates are under $10, wine prices are very reasonable

Recent Health Inspection: Unknown

We Love Fort Collins Food – Reader Contest Starts Today !

Kristin Mastre — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 16:30:23 +0000

There is no “Eat Of The Week” today, because today is the first official day of the “We Love Fort Collins Food” reader contest!

“What’s this contest about,” you ask? It’s two full weeks of celebrating some of the best eats in Fort Collins, according to the Feasting Fort Collins star ratings.

As Fort Collins’ restaurant critic, I’ve come across some delicious food that our city should be proud of. Sure, there are plenty of average restaurants out there, and even some complete duds. But, I think it would be really fun to highlight and celebrate the best dining options we have to choose from, and those places that love Feasting Fort Collins as much as we love Fort Collins food.

Here’s how the “We Love Fort Collins Food!” reader contest is going to work…

By sending me a picture of yourself next to the sign at one of these fabulous restaurants, you are entered into a random drawing to win a $100 gift card to any Fort Collins restaurant of your choice!

This is all made possible because of the advertising support from Feasting Fort Collins sponsors. Thank you!!

There is no spending limit – you can purchase a $2.00 tea, or a $5 beer, or a $50 streak dinner – no matter what, you still have a chance to win $100!

Here are the rules:

You as a whole living, eating person have to be included in the picture by the sign. Pictures of the sign only (or of body parts like thumbs) are disqualified.
You must purchase food or drink from the participating restaurant to qualify. No “flash and dash.”
You can enter as many times as you’d like, but multiple picture submissions need to be from different restaurants (meaning, one picture from one restaurant counts as a single entry).
By submitting a picture, you give me permission to post it on the blog, retweet on Twitter, and tag and share on Facebook and Google Plus.
By submitting a picture, you give me permission to contact you if you should happen to win. Your contact info will always be kept private.